EIC selects 21 deep tech pioneers for IFA 2023 pavilion after preparatory workshop
- ›On 23 May 2023 the European Innovation Council ran a virtual preparatory workshop for EIC-funded companies heading to IFA 2023 in Berlin.
- ›The EIC selected 21 SMEs, start-ups and scaleups to exhibit at the EIC Pavilion at IFA 2023, spanning consumer electronics, smart home, product design and IT solutions.
- ›Speakers included IFA sales director Cornelia Schwobe, EIC Ambassador Kerstin Bock and an experienced exhibitor, ManoMotion’s Joakim Hedenstedt.
- ›The workshop provided market and pitching advice but left open questions about follow up support, measurable outcomes and funding for market entry.
EIC prepares 21 innovators for IFA 2023 after virtual workshop
On 23 May 2023 the European Innovation Council (EIC) convened a virtual preparatory workshop for the delegation of companies that will exhibit at IFA 2023 under the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0. IFA, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics and home technology trade shows, takes place in Berlin from 1 to 5 September 2023. The EIC Pavilion offers awardees a subsidised opportunity to present innovations, network and pursue commercial partnerships at the show.
What the workshop covered and who spoke
The one-day virtual session was framed as practical preparation for exhibiting. It combined an IFA briefing with peer-to-peer advice and practical tips on positioning, pitching and networking for international trade fairs. The EIC used the session to brief selected beneficiaries on logistics and to help them plan how to use the delegation stand most effectively.
Who was selected to exhibit
After a competitive evaluation the EIC selected 21 companies to represent the EIC Pavilion at IFA 2023. The selection reflects a mix of consumer-facing hardware, smart home products, smart sensors, AR/VR and enterprise software. Below is a compact directory of the selected companies and their countries.
| Company | Country | Short description / sector |
| 1oT | Estonia | Global IoT connectivity and eSIM management for device fleets |
| Actronika | France | Haptics and tactile feedback solutions for consumer and device applications |
| Airofit | Denmark | Breathing trainer and training platform for sports and wellness |
| BILLON | Poland | Enterprise DLT and blockchain services aimed at regulated use cases |
| BIOSISTEMIKA | Slovenia | Laboratory software and digital solutions for life sciences and biotech |
| Daan Technologies | France | Household appliance innovator known for compact autonomous dishwasher product |
| Elliptic Labs | Norway | Virtual smart sensor AI platform for device contextual awareness |
| E-WENCO | Italy | Thermal and induction heating technology developer and innovation centre |
| indexAR | Romania | AR content delivery and 3D/AR platform |
| Infinite Foundry | Portugal | 3D digital twin platform for industrial production optimisation |
| INVIS | Poland | Wearable contactless payment straps and smart-strap solutions |
| Is CLEAN AIR | Italy | Air purification and pollution abatement technology with filterless approach |
| LIGHTNTEC | Germany | Ultra-thin, flexible LED display technology for walls and facades |
| ManoMotion | Sweden | Vision AI hand tracking and gesture control for industrial safety and XR |
| Scantrust | Switzerland | Secure QR codes and digital labelling for anti-counterfeit and traceability |
| SOLARGAPS | Ukraine | Smart, solar-generating external blinds combining shading and PV |
| TG0 | United Kingdom | Tactile sensing technology to transform surfaces into interactive sensors |
| TrioxNano | Israel | Advanced materials and nanotechnology for filtration and coatings |
| Vitesy | Italy | Smart, sustainable air purification products and sensor-enabled devices |
| YOUBIQUO | Italy | Immersive XR, AR and AI solutions for enterprise and training |
What the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0 offers
Why trade fairs still matter for deep tech startups
Trade shows like IFA remain high value for hardware and consumer-facing deep tech because they combine product discovery, retailer sourcing, media attention and immediate buyer feedback in a concentrated format. For hardware teams the ability to demonstrate a physical product or an integrated system is often decisive. Trade fairs also serve as on-ramps to distributors, licensing partners and pilot customers who want to see working prototypes.
However trade fair exposure is a means not an end. Visibility needs to be converted into measurable commercial outcomes. Companies must be deliberate about lead qualification, follow up resources and budgeting for sales cycles that continue long after the show closes.
Practical advice given at the workshop and critical caveats
Speakers reinforced standard trade fair advice: clarify your target audience before arriving, craft a short and repeatable pitch for different stakeholders, plan follow up with concrete next steps and use matchmaking tools proactively. A previous exhibitor urged teams to prepare for the friction that follows interest: pilots require legal, technical and commercial resources and these are often the bottleneck for converting contacts into contracts.
A realistic view of impact and next steps for exhibitors
Startups should see a place on the EIC Pavilion as a step in a longer market entry process. A successful fair appearance requires pre-show outreach, a clear plan for in-show lead capture, and resources for near-term pilot negotiations. EIC beneficiaries who lack dedicated BD or regulatory capacity should treat the trade fair as a visibility and validation exercise but also build partnerships or consultancy support for the hard work that follows.
How to get more information or ask questions
What to watch for after IFA
Observers should look for evidence that the EIC programme delivers more than publicity. Useful indicators include numbers of paid pilots signed, distribution agreements, follow up investment triggered, and structured reporting on market traction. If the EIC wants to justify continued trade fair subsidies it will need to publish standardised impact measures across its international trade fair activities.
For participating companies the immediate priority is disciplined follow up. Convert trade show interest into measurable commitments with clear timelines and responsibilities. Use the EIC network and the contacts from the preparatory session to find support on contracting, certification and scaling.
Final note
The EIC Pavilion at major tradeshows like IFA is a tangible way for European-supported innovators to get in front of global buyers and partners. The preparatory workshop offered helpful coaching and practical tips. The larger challenge is turning short show windows into durable commercial relationships. That requires realistic planning, resources for follow up and transparent impact reporting from programme managers.